Crowder returns for third season with Nailers

WHEELING, W.Va. – The Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens, announced that the club has signed 2011-12 captain Paul Crowder for the upcoming season.

Crowder, 27, began the 2012-13 campaign in Austria, but elected to return to Wheeling, where he has spent parts of the last two seasons. The Victoria, British Columbia native made his professional debut with the Hartford Wolf Pack at the end of the 2008-09 season, going on to play in 90 games over parts of two seasons, recording 12 goals, and 17 assists for 29 points. In 2010-11, Crowder joined the Utah Grizzlies, where he spent 20 games, before joining the Nailers for their run to the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals. In 73 games with Wheeling, Crowder has racked up 26 goals and added 35 assists for 61 points. His 23 goals and 50 points last season were both second on the club, trailing only Chris Barton.

Prior to turning pro, Crowder played three seasons in the BCHL, and also attended the University of Alaska-Anchorage, where he amassed 80 points (32g-48a) in 107 games.